Stefanos Tsitsipas had struggled during the early stages of his 2025 season and was in need of a strong week in Dubai.
The Greek number one endured a tough loss in Melbourne, as Tsitsipas lost to Alex Michelsen in the first round, 5-7, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6.
Looking to bounce back in the Netherlands, the world number 11 lost to Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci in the quarter-finals of the Rotterdam Open.
His poor form continued in Doha, as Tsitsipas lost to Hamad Medjedovic in the first round of the Qatar Open, who was severely hampered by injury.
Traveling to the UAE for the Dubai Tennis Championships, the 26-year-old battled past Lorenzo Sonego to secure a much-needed win.
Tsitsipas then beat Karen Khachanov to reach the quarter-finals, where he took on an in-form Matteo Berrettini.
After three grueling sets of action, the Greek star took down Berrettini before winning his semi-final match, as Tsitsipas now looks ahead to Saturday’s final.
Stefanos Tsitsipas says ‘everyone is aware’ of Felix Auger-Aliassime ahead of their final in Dubai
Tsitsipas beat Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets to reach his third Dubai Tennis Championships final, having last done so in 2020.
He’ll face off against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final, who has won 16 matches this year, more than any other player in men’s tennis.
Ahead of their tenth career meeting, Tsitsipas revealed what the rest of the ATP Tour currently thinks about the Canadian number one.
“Obviously, Felix [Auger-Aliassime] has been playing very well lately, everyone is aware on the tour,” he said.
“I’m going to go out on the court, try my best, see what he comes up with, and I think let’s just leave it to the best player.”
Auger-Aliassime beat Quentin Halys in the first semi-final to qualify for his third final of the year, having previously won titles in Adelaide and Montpellier.
Tsitsipas is confident ahead of his match with Auger-Aliassime, after enjoying his best performance of the week against Griekspoor.
“I feel extremely happy that I was able to do it without the drama today and play good tennis from the start,” he said.
“It felt good, I was doing a great job from the baseline and I felt like my focus levels were at their highest from any match I’ve played this week.
“I feel like every match has new teachings, something new to offer me in terms of experience and knowledge in regards to my game.
“I’m just trying to soak it all in and use that wisdom that every match brings and use that effectively.
“We have a great crowd here, I’ve played good so far so let’s keep it up.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime’s head-to-head record
Tsitsipas and Auger-Aliassime’s clash in the final will be their tenth encounter on the ATP Tour, but who’s had the better of proceedings in their careers to date?
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2023 Paris Masters – R32 | Stefanos Tsitsipas | Felix Auger-Aliassime | 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2022 Rotterdam – F | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2021 Cincinnati – QF | Stefanos Tsitsipas | Felix Auger-Aliassime | 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 |
| 2021 Barcelona – QF | Stefanos Tsitsipas | Felix Auger-Aliassime | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2021 Acapulco – QF | Stefanos Tsitsipas | Felix Auger-Aliassime | 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 |
| 2020 Marseille – F | Stefanos Tsitsipas | Felix Auger-Aliassime | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2019 Shanghai – R32 | Stefanos Tsitsipas | Felix Auger-Aliassime | 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2019 Queen’s – QF | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 7-5, 6-2 |
| 2019 Indian Wells – R64 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 6-4, 6-2 |
Tsitsipas leads the head-to-head 6-3, winning their most recent encounter at the Paris Masters two years ago.
Auger-Aliassime did, however, come out on top in their only previous meeting at an ATP 500 final, as he won in straight sets at the 2022 Rotterdam Open.
Tsitsipas is no stranger to losing ATP 500 finals, having fallen to defeat in each of his 11 finals at the level, a trend he would no doubt love to change on Saturday.
- 2024 Barcelona Open F – Lost to Casper Ruud
- 2023 Barcelona Open F – Lost to Carlos Alcaraz
- 2022 Astana Open F – Lost to Novak Djokovic
- 2022 Rotterdam Open F – Lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime
- 2021 Barcelona Open F – Lost to Rafael Nadal
- 2021 Mexican Open F – Lost to Alexander Zverev
- 2020 Hamburg Open F – Lost to Andrey Rublev
- 2020 Dubai Tennis Championships F – Lost to Novak Djokovic
- 2019 China Open F – Lost to Dominic Thiem
- 2019 Dubai Tennis Championships F – Lost to Roger Federer
- 2018 Barcelona Open F – Lost to Rafael Nadal
Tsitsipas will take on Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday, March 1, as he looks to improve his record in ATP 500 level finals to 1-11.
